Teen charged with attempted murder

Published: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 4:39 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 4:39 p.m.

OCALA – A 19-year-old man accused of firing several shots at another man Wednesday was arrested and charged with attempted murder.

Ocala Police Department Officer Kristen Whitston talked with the victim, who told her he was at his home, on Southwest Fifth Street, when the shooter drove by and stared at him continuously, according to a police report. The victim said he jumped into his vehicle and followed the man, later identified as Willie Thomas, to the 2000 block of West Silver Springs Boulevard.

The man told police he blocked Thomas' vehicle in a parking space and confronted him about some motorcycle thefts.

According to the report, Thomas got out of his vehicle with his hands in his pockets, backed away from the other man, and then somehow retrieved a gun and began shooting.

A witness told the officer he saw Thomas with a gun in his hand and that he was shooting at the other man.

The officer recovered two .45-caliber shell casings in the area of Southwest 21st Avenue and West State Road 40.

Police performed gunshot residue test on Thomas, which indicated he had fired a weapon, according to OPD.

He was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.

Detectives were continuing their investigation into the shooting.

Anyone with information about the incident can call Detective Stephanie McQuaig at 369-7029, Crime Line at 369-7061 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Tipsters also can text "ocalapd" and a tip to TIP411.

<p>OCALA – A 19-year-old man accused of firing several shots at another man Wednesday was arrested and charged with attempted murder.</p><p>Ocala Police Department Officer Kristen Whitston talked with the victim, who told her he was at his home, on Southwest Fifth Street, when the shooter drove by and stared at him continuously, according to a police report. The victim said he jumped into his vehicle and followed the man, later identified as Willie Thomas, to the 2000 block of West Silver Springs Boulevard.</p><p>The man told police he blocked Thomas' vehicle in a parking space and confronted him about some motorcycle thefts.</p><p>According to the report, Thomas got out of his vehicle with his hands in his pockets, backed away from the other man, and then somehow retrieved a gun and began shooting.</p><p>A witness told the officer he saw Thomas with a gun in his hand and that he was shooting at the other man.</p><p>The officer recovered two .45-caliber shell casings in the area of Southwest 21st Avenue and West State Road 40.</p><p>Police performed gunshot residue test on Thomas, which indicated he had fired a weapon, according to OPD.</p><p>He was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.</p><p>Detectives were continuing their investigation into the shooting.</p><p>Anyone with information about the incident can call Detective Stephanie McQuaig at 369-7029, Crime Line at 369-7061 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Tipsters also can text "ocalapd" and a tip to TIP411.</p>